This is at least the second terror raid in the Buffalo area since 9/11. I find it hard to believe that Buffalo's proximity to the porous Canadian border is a coincidence.
I can't speak for any US/Canadian border crossings other than Peace Arch, Blaine, Anacortes ferry and Port Angeles ferry, but I have noticed that the mainland Southbound crossings have seemed far more perfunctory than the sea crossings. Northbound is quite another story.
After a 20-45 minute wait, the US Customs officials were polite, succinct in their questions, and efficient on the land crossings, even with my rather long hair.
Seaborne crossings, however, are quite another story. EVERY time I have gotten on a boat to the US, I've been among the first off the boat, but the VERY LAST to leave the Customs area, due to my triggering some unknown "search this dude" tripwire. 3 years ago, no less than 8 agents were interested in a bottle of (US packaged and manufactured) "Miracle Lube". It was all I could do not to laugh as they sprayed each other. My latest trip ( last month) the agent held me back so he could sniff the air in the tires!
Porous is NOT the word I would use to describe our mutual border. Misguided and inane is how I would describe how its integrity is being 'guarded', though.
I'll grant that the Port Angeles post is doing a damn good job (they did catch Ahmed Ressam!), but the 'thrill' of getting searched is turning into a PITP!
(pain in the patoot)